OUR TEAM & VALUES
OUR VALUES
We Value Your Time: Whether it’s an in-person estimate appointment or a scheduled work appointment, we will always give you a specific date and time for our arrival. Your time is important and we strive to stay on–or ahead–of schedule.
We Value Your Home: Your home is your sanctuary and we aim to keep it that way. While repairs can be noisy and dusty, we work to keep your home protected throughout the process by putting down dust and area protection and carefully cleaning up after the work is complete.
We Value Your Business: We want you to be pleased when the job is done, and if you’re not, we will return to make it right. We warranty our work and want to be your go-to team. Our goal is a long-term relationship.
OUR TEAM
Andy Sjostrom
Principal
Four doors is the distance between Andy’s current house and his childhood home. An Oak Park-er to the core, no one can dispute his understanding of the community and the homes in it. Combining that knowledge with his over 25 years of experience in the handyman and construction industry, gives Sjostrom Renovation a local edge when it comes to repairs and updates. Even though he sometimes misses his best job of all-time: scooping ice cream at the North Riverside mall, Andy still gets to do his favorite part: making his customers happy. When he’s not at work, Andy enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, watching soccer, and riding his motorcycle.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
A Hammer. My favorite jobs are anything where I get to swing a hammer.
Matt Miller
With 35 years in the construction industry, Matt knows a thing or two about a thing or two. Whether it was running excavators and heavy equipment for concrete construction, doing electrical and plumbing repairs, or working as an estimator–he has done a little bit of everything.
As the Handyman Coordinator, Matt will be one of your main points of contact for repair work. He draws on his knowledge to provide accurate estimates, manage the team of technicians, and troubleshoot problems if any issues arise on the job. In his off hours, you can find him with his wife cheering for one daughter at University of Minnesota games or helping another daughter with projects in her new home.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Multi-tool like a Leatherman tool (but with no leather involved – just wanted to make that distinction)
Leanne Grace
As a realtor and a former flight attendant, Leanne believes the foundation of good customer service requires providing timely responses, clear communication, and a listening ear to anyone who reaches out with a request. She keeps these tenets in mind while working behind her desk at the shop where she tracks customer requests, assists with scheduling appointments, and does not play with the tools at all. “Even if I’m the only one around and the power tools are just out there. Waiting.”
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Probably a table saw like the one in the shop. I don’t play with the tools.
Katie Kopecky
With 10 years working at Sjostrom Renovation under her toolbelt, Katie is a fixture among even the longest standing customers. While she can tackle a variety of repairs, Katie is a skilled carpenter and enjoys new opportunities to flex her woodworking muscles. Her favorite projects are “things that involve a little creativity, skill, and experience to figure out how it’ll all go together.” Besides working with wood, Katie enjoys being in the woods. In fact, she hiked all 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Mini-Prybar. I’m small, but versatile, strong and durable, and if you don’t handle me right I’ll hurt you.
Jake Racina
A trained artist, with a degree in oil painting, Jake enjoys doing work where he can use his creative skills to solve problems for customers in innovative ways. Off the clock, he spends his time on his other goals–literally–playing goalie for an adult hockey league, or writing and recording songs for his upcoming album.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Pin nailer. Because it brings things together even if it’s just barely.
Matt Torre
After 16 years working in facilities’ maintenance for large venues including ice arenas (yes, he did drive a zamboni for the Blackhawks), Matt is unsurprisingly drawn to large-scale renovation projects. Seeing a project through from its early stages until the final walkthrough is his favorite part of the job. After work, Matt still heeds the call of the ice, playing hockey in a league.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Push broom. I’m always cleaning up after everyone.
David Bortman
As a graduate of the Art Institute and a former art preparator who set up exhibits for well-known artists, David has an eye for both form and function in his work. Though he gets booked for all types of repairs, David’s favorite job is hanging artwork in customers’ homes. In his off hours, David works on his own art projects, spends time with his sons, and practices yoga.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
A multi-tool because it does everything.
Steve Hain
Known by the team as “Precision Steve,” Steve’s accuracy and attention to detail make his work standout. Whether it’s tiling, woodworking (one of his favorite tasks), or anything in between, his craftsmanship is undeniable. Outside of work, Steve enjoys playing guitar, working sound for other musicians, and petting all the dogs.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Caliper. Because it is a precise measuring tool.
Tommy Herner
Tommy likes metal: whether it’s welding and forging or moshing to heavy metal music on the weekends. Though got started in metalwork, Tommy has expanded his skillset to include home repairs and renovations. When he’s not on the clock, Tommy enjoys reciting Lord of the Rings movies word-for-word, attending Renaissance Faires, and window shopping for a full suit of armor.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
Angle grinder. Because it is the closest thing to metal working and it throws sparks.
Kriste Baker
Even though Kriste’s true passion is teaching her K-8th grade math students, she lends us her number crunching skills as bookkeeper. When she’s not putting together invoices, keeping track of expenses, or hunting down receipts from the handyman team, Kriste likes to go out on the town with her twin daughters. And as an interesting bit of trivia: Kriste played water polo in the Junior Olympics.
If you were a tool, what kind would you be?
A measuring tape because I like numbers and using them to measure progress.
